Tom Collins Cocktail Recipe

Gin: A distilled alcoholic beverage made from juniper berries, providing the primary flavor base for the cocktail.

Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed juice from lemons, adding a tangy and refreshing taste.

Simple syrup: A sweetener made by dissolving sugar in water, used to balance the tartness of the lemon juice.

Soda water: Carbonated water used to top off the drink, adding a fizzy element.

Lemon slice: A slice of lemon used as a garnish to enhance the presentation and add a subtle citrus aroma.

Maraschino cherry: A preserved, sweetened cherry used as a garnish, adding a pop of color and a hint of sweetness.

When preparing a Tom Collins, ensure that the lemon juice is freshly squeezed for the best flavor. Pre-bottled juice often lacks the vibrant acidity and freshness that can elevate the cocktail. Additionally, when making simple syrup, use a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water, and allow it to cool completely before mixing it into the drink. This ensures that the syrup blends seamlessly with the other ingredients.

• gin - Substitute with vodka: Vodka has a neutral flavor that can mimic the base spirit of gin without the botanical notes.

• gin - Substitute with white rum: White rum provides a light and slightly sweet alternative, though it will change the flavor profile.

• freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice offers a similar acidity and tartness, though it will impart a different citrus flavor.

• freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with grapefruit juice: Grapefruit juice provides a tangy and slightly bitter alternative, adding a unique twist to the cocktail.

• simple syrup - Substitute with agave syrup: Agave syrup is a natural sweetener that dissolves easily and adds a mild, honey-like flavor.

• simple syrup - Substitute with honey syrup: Honey syrup (honey mixed with water) offers a richer, more complex sweetness.

• Prepare the Ingredients: Before storing, ensure that all components like gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup are measured and ready. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is best used within a day or two for optimal flavor.

• Separate Storage: Store the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup separately in airtight containers. This helps maintain the freshness and potency of each ingredient.

• Refrigeration: Keep the lemon juice and simple syrup in the refrigerator. Lemon juice can last up to 3 days, while simple syrup can be stored for up to a month. The gin can be stored at room temperature or in the fridge if you prefer a chilled drink.

• Pre-mixing Option: If you prefer to have a ready-to-pour option, mix the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup together and store in a sealed bottle. This mixture should be consumed within 24 hours for the best taste.

• Freezing: While freezing the Tom Collins mixture is not recommended due to the change in texture and flavor, you can freeze lemon juice in ice cube trays. This allows you to have fresh lemon juice on hand whenever needed.

• Serving: When ready to serve, shake the pre-mixed ingredients with ice, strain into a highball glass filled with ice, top with soda water, and garnish with a lemon slice and maraschino cherry.

• Garnish Storage: Store lemon slices in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Maraschino cherries can be stored in their original jar in the fridge for several weeks.

• pour the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup mixture into a small saucepan.
• gently warm over low heat, stirring occasionally, until just slightly warm. be careful not to overheat as it can alter the flavors.
• once warmed, pour the mixture back into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake well to chill.
• strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice.
• top with soda water.
• garnish with a lemon slice and maraschino cherry.

Alternatively:

• pour the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup mixture into a microwave-safe container.
• microwave on low power for 10-15 seconds, just until slightly warm.
• pour the warmed mixture into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake well to chill.
• strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice.
• top with soda water.
• garnish with a lemon slice and maraschino cherry.

• Cocktail shaker: Used to mix the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice to chill and combine the ingredients thoroughly.

• Highball glass: The glass in which the cocktail is served, typically filled with ice and topped with soda water.

• Jigger: A measuring tool used to ensure the correct amount of gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup are added.

• Strainer: Used to strain the mixed cocktail from the shaker into the highball glass, ensuring no ice or pulp gets into the drink.

• Bar spoon: Useful for stirring the soda water into the cocktail gently.

• Knife: Needed to slice the lemon for garnish.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface to cut the lemon.

• Ice cube tray: Used to make ice cubes for both the shaker and the highball glass.

• Citrus juicer: Helps to extract fresh lemon juice efficiently.

• Maraschino cherry jar: Contains the cherries used for garnish.

Pre-mix ingredients: Combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a bottle and refrigerate. This way, you only need to pour and shake when ready.

Use bottled lemon juice: If you're short on time, use high-quality bottled lemon juice instead of squeezing fresh lemons.

Batch preparation: Make a larger batch of the cocktail mix and store it in the fridge. This saves time when serving multiple guests.

Ready-made simple syrup: Purchase pre-made simple syrup to skip the step of making it yourself.

Pre-cut garnishes: Slice lemons and prepare maraschino cherries ahead of time for quick garnishing.